Revolution (The Revelation Series Book 4) Page 16
“Mark me,” I beg, willing him to leave a mark of passion on my skin.
“I already have,” he replies into my throat and places both hands on my mark.
“I mean where everyone can see that I’m yours.” My voice is husky.
Asher’s lips move across my collarbone in light kisses then become harder and more insistent as he reaches the side of my neck. Releasing a deep growl, his lips descend, bruising and sucking the flesh aggressively. My mouth falls open in pleasure and I lean into the painful sensation of the blood vessels breaking with each firm o-shaped suck. My body shakes with the need for release as he continues his attack.
Once Asher has sufficiently bruised the skin, he bites down hard for good measure and I let out a cry of pleasure, almost having an orgasm on the spot. His tongue soothes the bruising while he leaves gentle kisses in the aftermath of his mouth’s destruction.
Pulling back, and looking pleased with his work, his darkened gaze meets mine. The pad of his thumb gently brushes over the stinging, raw skin. “Don’t ever fucking forget that you’re mine, siren.” He drops his tone.
“Every risk and sacrifice I make, is because I’m yours,” I answer and caress his jawline.
My pulse flutters under his unwavering gaze and something dark flashes in his eyes. Possessively, he slides his hand to the back of my neck, tugging me closer to his mouth.
With his perfect lips hovering over my parted ones, he teases me by running his tongue over the full curve of his bottom lip. The desire to lunge forward and gnaw on it becomes severe.
“I don’t want to waste any more words on shit we can’t change, siren.” His voice is rough.
I nod silently and sink into the feeling of Asher’s thumb tracing my bottom lip. Leaning in, he takes my mouth with a hard kiss, dominating me like he owns me.
“I love you. I want to be by your side, forever. Complete the bond,” he demands again.
I take the inside of my cheek between my teeth. Asher tugs at my bottom lip, requesting I end the torture. I do. “Explain the completion to me.”
Asher’s expression softens. “Since my protector mark is already laced with your blood, I would simply infuse your matching mark with mine,” he explains quietly.
“What happens once we infuse it?” I fist his shirt, unable to not touch him in some way.
“Our current bond allows us to share certain aspects of a connection. This exchange will open the link completely. I’ll be able to read all your feelings and thoughts, and you mine.”
“Not intrusive at all,” I tease. “What else?”
He offers a small smirk. “We will continue to share gifts. Right now, I’m sharing most of my abilities with you. With the completion, you’ll share yours with me. The bond will permit us to complement and enhance one another’s powers. It’ll will also bring us to another level of intimacy.” He encircles my wrists with his long fingers.
“And when I grow older and you stay young, what then?” I ask.
“Your DNA won’t change, siren. You’ll still be human. That said, your chemistry should evolve and take on my supernatural traits, slowing the aging process. Your life cycle will alter and match your lifespan to mine. Your lifetime will become ten times longer than normal humans, just like a gargoyle’s.” His thumb caresses my fast moving pulse.
“You want us both to be a thousand years old?” I laugh. “So creepy.”
Asher flashes his sexiest smile. “Yeah, siren, it’s pretty fucking crazy.”
“Maybe you’ll be sick of me by year one hundred and fifty-two.” I smirk playfully.
Asher looks at me thoughtfully. “Gargoyles mate for life, siren. I want a forever with you, and only you, however long that may be. One day, one month, or one thousand years.”
I lean forward, brushing his lips lightly before pulling back. “What else does being Asher St. Michael’s official, blood bonded mate entail?”
“Aside from telling me I’m awesome, hourly, and having sex with me at every turn.” He winks. “You’ll have to follow supernatural laws, adhere to the rules set forth by The Royal Gargoyle Council of Protectors. Someday, you will be queen of the gargoyle race, so a little history and schooling of our kind might be a good idea.”
I exhale. “And here I thought I was getting out of studying by taking a semester off.”
A small smile appears on his perfect lips. “There is also a ceremony acknowledging that you accept my family and clan as yours. As my mate, you would have to declare your allegiance to, and promise to abide by, the laws set through The Spiritual Assembly of Protectors. Once done, you would receive a small Celtic tattoo on your wrist, like Abby and Kenna have,” he says, outlining a Celtic cross on my skin.
My pulse continues to increase at his touch, sending goose bumps along my skin.
When he meets my gaze again, his expression falls. “What I can’t give you is a white picket fence. There will be no children, no sense of normalcy. Life with me won’t be a fucking fairytale, siren. It will just be you and me, forever. As long as that is.” He drops a kiss to the center of my palm. “I’m sorry for that.”
I take his face in my palms. “I don’t want a fairytale. All I want is you. Even if our forever is only a moment in time. Whatever you’ll give me, I’ll take it.”
“You won’t miss having a family, children?” he questions sincerely.
I pause. My eyes slide behind Asher before returning to his gaze. “I will have a family. You. And this clan. I’ve never given much thought to having children. Not to mention, I had a very awkward sex conversation with Abby and Callan earlier. I’m pretty sure not only did they scar me for life, but also the talk isn’t over yet.” I wince. “The way those two parent and grope on one another, I bet they have enough baby gargoyles to keep us all busy.”
Asher’s laugh is deep and rich as he pulls my hands from his face and interlaces them with his. “This isn’t a grand romantic gesture, but,” he slides me off his lap, helping me to stand, before taking a knee, “Eve Marie Collins, I will protect and love you, always. Will you stand by my side, forever?”
“I will.”
A beaming smile crosses Asher’s striking face as he stands and takes mine into his hands, placing the most tender, beautiful kiss across my lips. “Forever.”
“Forever.”
A knock on the door drags us both out of the moment. “Family dinner. Five minutes,” Callan shouts. “Clothing is not optional so be dressed.” He chuckles at his own joke like a schoolgirl.
“Christ, this clan is fucking insane.” Asher exhales and takes my hand firmly in his.
“Wait.” I yank on his arm, forcing him to turn and face me.
Creases line his forehead. “What’s wrong?”
“The second you tell the clan that I’ve agreed to finish the mating ritual, Abby is going to be all over me with ideas and shopping trips. I just need a moment to mentally prepare myself. Unless…we don’t mention it?” I ask, hopeful.
Asher’s lips quirk. “Unfortunately, there’s no evading this, siren. My family has to be present at the ceremony and there are no secrets within this clan.” He pins me with an intense look that causes my soul to shudder. Crap.
His statement’s a reminder that Keegan and I have a secret that, if true, will destroy all these plans.
I blow out a long breath. “Okay.”
Asher brushes the hair off my shoulder, putting his bite on display.
“Okay,” he repeats firmly before leading us to the dining area to face the clan.
***
My hands automatically slide to my daggers, confirming they’re sheathed to my legs. The shit storm that’s about to occur is going to be ugly, and I need to be ready for an attack. I release Asher’s warm and secure hand and take a seat across from the piercing blue eyes of the supernatural being sitting across from me. In an attempt not to be intimidated by McKenna, I blow out a long breath and pick up my napkin, draping it over my lap.
My hand extends to
ward my water goblet. Nervously, I pick it up and bring it to my mouth, only to be startled by a hand whooshing by my face, knocking the glass to the floor.
“Do not drink that, cutie,” Callan orders.
“What the fuck, Callan?” Asher barks, wiping the frozen cubes off my lap.
“By the grace, everyone just calm down.” Keegan exhales in a tired tone.
Callan stands taller and places his hand on his hip before facing his mate. “Abs, did you or did you not wash your hands before placing the ice in the glasses?” he accuses.
“Baby, it’s just ice. Settle down,” she retorts. “It’s not like I touched the food.”
Callan’s mouth drops open. “Babe, ice is food.”
The beautiful red-haired gargoyle scrunches her face in an ugly manner. “Ice is not food.”
“The fuck it isn’t,” McKenna bites out and returns a cube from her mouth, into her glass.
“See,” Callan says with a dramatic wave of his hand in Kenna’s direction.
Abby rolls her eyes as Callan plops into his seat, at the head of the table, to her left. “That makes no sense. How is ice of all things food?” She narrows her stunning gaze at him.
Asher re-pours my drink, void of ice, before leaning in to whisper, “You sure you want a thousand years of this shit, siren?”
I flash him a small smile. “You know, I really do,” I reply quietly.
“Then you’re just as fucking crazy as the rest of us.” He winks.
“Do you put it in your mouth?” Callan asks his mate in an admonished tone.
“Yes,” Abby answers with slight sarcasm.
“Do you lick it or bite it with your teeth?” he continues.
“Um, sometimes,” she responds with an odd tone to her voice.
“Do you swallow it?” he asks her pointedly.
Asher spits his mouthful of chili out at Callan’s question. The spray hits Keegan and Kenna from across the table.
“Christ, Asher,” Keegan barks, wiping his hands and glaring at Asher.
“Sorry,” Asher offers sheepishly and cleans the sides of his mouth.
“You’re an asshole,” Kenna spits out.
“Watch it, cupcake,” I warn. “It was an accident.”
“Fuck you, blood of Eden,” she argues back.
“Are we still talking about ice?” Abby asks with a cheerful expression.
“Yes!” Callan states at the same time Asher and Keegan shout, “No!”
“Baby.” Callan drops his tone to seduce her. “If you put it in your mouth, lick it, and swallow it, it’s technically food.”
Finally catching on, she swats at him. “By definition, your favorite body part is food.”
“Guess that explains the whip cream and syrup last night.” He beams. Gross.
“Christ, the great ice tampering discussion is done,” Asher orders. “You’re making us all sick at the dinner table.”
Callan raises his brows to Abby. “What do you say, truce, babe?”
“This isn’t over, Callan Thomas,” she answers. “But for the sake of dinner, fine.”
“I look forward to round two.” He wiggles his brows at her, causing her to giggle.
Asher clears his throat. “Now that the ice debate is tabled, I have something to say.”
All eyes fall to him and I shift uncomfortably knowing what’s coming. Asher takes my hand in his and gives me his signature cocky smirk before facing his family.
“I’ve forgiven Eve’s actions. I expect the clan to do the same. There will be no further discussions with regard to her actions surrounding Elizabeth.” His voice is stern.
“Wow, cutie. That was way faster than we expected. It took Ash an entire year to forgive Keegan and that was a deserved stab,” Callan jests.
“I look forward to hearing that story.” I smile up at Asher.
“Well then, welcome to the family, Eve.” Keegan raises his glass to me and is met by the sound of spoons clanking and gargoyles choking. Not awkward or uncomfortable at all.
My eyes slide shut before reopening to see everyone looking between Keegan and I with their mouths hanging open. Fiona flutters into the awkwardness with a tray of chili toppings.
“Ye kids forgot da toppins,” she says, placing the serving dish in the middle of the table and taking in everyone’s silent expressions. “By da grace, what ‘tis wrong wit ye?”
“Did you just fucking welcome her into this clan?” McKenna roars.
Keegan swallows realizing his misstep. He looks around at all the gaping protectors, who look like they’ve seen a ghost, before clearing his throat and meeting my wide eyes. “I did.”
“Holy shit,” Callan says and sits back in his chair. “I am so winning this chili cook-off.”
“What?” Abby asks in a whisper.
“My chili performs miracles, Abs,” he explains.
“Don’t ye be a wanker, lad,” Fiona scolds.
“Tas ámotas?” McKenna glares angrily at Keegan.
Keegan clears his throat before speaking in an authoritative tone. “Asher has clearly marked Eve. Twice,” he says staring at my new hickey.
Even though I begged Asher to do it, a pink hue still forms on my cheeks as all eyes focus on the bruised mark. Instinctively, I lift my hand to slide it over the side of my neck and cover it. The action is stopped when Asher connects our hands together.
“Meaning?” Asher counters.
Keegan blows out a long breath and places his napkin on the table. “Meaning, I’m tired of being on the outs with you, brother. If Eve is your chosen mate, then this clan stands behind your decision. All of us.” Keegan slides his gaze to a fuming McKenna.
“Not all of us,” she says through gritted teeth.
“I love you, Kenna. I do. I admire the ágra-lem in you and your fierce protectiveness over me. But Eve has more than proven her loyalty to this family, and Asher, tas ámotas. It’s time, sweetheart,” Keegan says with a gentle voice that I’ve never heard from him before.
McKenna holds Keegan’s piercing gaze. For the briefest moment her expression softens before hardening again. “No,” she says in a deep growl, pushing out of her chair and storming out.
“Every damn meal, baby,” Abby exhales sadly, squeezing Callan’s hand.
Keegan stands and walks around the table. At the same time, Asher stands and pulls Keegan into a tight embrace.
“Do you mean what you said?” Asher asks.
“Every word,” Keegan answers without wavering.
Asher inhales sharply before increasing his grip on his brother. At the sight, my heart soars and then sinks. I know this won’t last. Maybe that’s why Keegan is holding on so tightly. Once Asher finds out who the traitor is and that both his brother, and mate, knew all along all our family ties will be severed.
After a few moments, Keegan turns to me, dipping his chin respectfully. “Zhen pri.”
“Family first,” I repeat the promise between us as he retreats to find Kenna.
Fiona offers us a warm glance before pushing back some stray hairs into her bun. “Da lass will come around,” she says and exits the dining room.
Asher retakes his seat.
Callan swallows. “Mm, this magical chili is so good. It’s like licking unicorns.”
I watch him in confusion. “What the hell does that even mean?”
“Which part? That my chili is magical, or that I like licking unicorns?” he banters.
“Is licking unicorns a common occurrence for you?” I quip.
Callan rolls his eyes at me like I’m ridiculous. “Unicorns don’t exist, cutie.”
Abby squeals in delight, startling all of us. “A dress, which you promised I can choose! Shoes. Eves, this means we finally get to plan your mating ceremony.” She claps giddily.
My eyes slide to Asher for help. “See.”
The asshat just smirks and winks at me.
“You heard Keegan, family first, siren.”
15 Truth In Lies
At this time of night, the house is eerily silent. My bare feet hit the cool wood floors as I hurry down the stairs. Asher’s hushed voice drifts from the hallway outside the study. I pad toward the sound, stopping in my tracks when I also hear Keegan’s low voice.
From the hallway’s shadows, I watch both gargoyles as they sip on amber liquid and speak in quiet, secretive tones. Each of their faces holds serious expressions.
“I think we’ve already pushed our luck with the council. I assure you, they won’t concede to this ceremony,” Keegan states. “I can also guarantee they’ll demand another hearing.”
“Let them.” Asher responds, not seeming to care.
“Lord Falk will attempt to dethrone you, Asher. Under his leadership, the council will most likely find you guilty and sentence you. We should prepare for both.” Keegan warns.
Asher puts his glass on the table and leans his elbows on his knees. “There are a thousand reasons why I should let her go, Keegan. I won’t. Loving her is just part of who I have become.” Asher says with a firm glare before sinking back into the chair.
“How do you want to handle the council?” Keegan asks with a thoughtful tone.
“Let the council sentence stone petrifaction. The divination and bond will protect me. As far as their feeble attempts to overthrow me as the next ruler,” Asher’s tone lowers, “you and I both know the plan and what has to happen when the time comes.” Plan? What the hell?
“I meant what I said at dinner. Eve has earned her place in this clan, and though I still have my doubts about how she will be on the throne, and how our race will accept a human mate, you will not be met by further resistance from me,” Keegan says. “I’m on your side.”
“And your mate?” Asher asks on a whisper.
“My beautiful and stubborn warrior won’t stand in your and Eve’s way,” Keegan assures.